Chatham Academy's Joe LeVan up for Jr. NBA Coach of Year award

Sunday

Apr 7, 2019 at 9:35 PMApr 8, 2019 at 3:33 PM

Chatham Academy's veteran teacher and coach Joe LeVan, who wasn't looking for attention, finds himself one of 30 nominees for the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.

Nominated by the Atlanta Hawks, LeVan will find out Monday if he is one of eight semifinalists. Voting April 8-17 by the public on social media and an executive panel of judges will narrow the candidates to three finalists, with the winner announced May 17 in Chicago.

The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year is an NBA and WNBA youth basketball program overseen by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The program recognizes a coach doing more than just administering wins and losses, but also making a positive influence in children's lives.

LeVan, 47, was honored by the Hawks during halftime of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 10 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“Initially when I received the email, I was shocked,” LeVan said of getting nominated for Jr. Coach of the Year. “I thought someone was messing with me. The Atlanta Hawks are nominating me as their junior coach of the year.”

One of those in charge in selecting the representative for the Hawks was Jon Babul, the Vice President of Basketball Development.

Babul said they had an open nomination consisting of roughly 750 junior NBA organizations in the Atlanta market. Approximately 100 nominees were submitted across the state of Georgia, and from there, they narrowed it down to about eight or 10.

“Some of the deciding factors are just the time commitment and his whole body of work. He's been doing this for a couple decades. He's serving a population that otherwise has hard access to play,” Babul said of LeVan. “That was an area we looked at and something we felt important. This guy was stepping up and sometimes with his own budget and resources or volunteer time.

"Those are qualities that we were looking for and we feel aligned with our mission with the Hawks in terms of building bridges to the community through basketball and being true to Atlanta. We felt Joe really embodied that spirit. He's building bridges not only in school but in Savannah, and obviously it's recognizable across the state.”

His perspective leading up to the March 10 game likely set LeVan apart from some other coaches. Instead of celebrating and being eager to appear in the spotlight, LeVan did not want to go to Atlanta. The reason: he was going to have to do it without his players.

“My wife tells me, ‘You're not doing this for you, you're doing this for your school and your kids.’ And that just hit me,” LeVan said of his reluctance. “I started feeling bad because it's not me, it's the kids. I wanted the kids to come with me.”

Then to his surprise, the Hawks and Chatham Academy arranged for a handful of his basketball players to be with him on his big day.

LeVan said having his players be there meant more to him than anything else. For one, because he did not have to be on the court by himself. Secondly, he got to share the recognition.

“For a small school like this to be recognized by the Atlanta Hawks, you're just very thankful and humble of the whole event and recognition,” LeVan said.

Two things stood out to Babul about exactly who LeVan is as a person: his personality and his humility.

“He's very vibrant and seemed like he had a magnetic component about him with the kids. Like they really gravitated toward him,” Babul said. “His vibrant personality, he kind of wears it on his sleeve, very welcoming, a big smile. That really stood out. And then he's a humble guy. He wanted his kids to have the shine and be out there on the court instead of him.”

Who is Joe LeVan?

LeVan grew up in a military household which had him moving around the world. He was born in Jeju, South Korea and eventually relocated to Oklahoma. It was in Oklahoma that LeVan started his passion of sports.

With his father being moved by the military, LeVan lacked a typical father figure. His next-door neighbor, a man he called Mr. Pete, taught him about sports and got him started loving the Oklahoma Sooners.

LeVan said he still remembers going to his first Sooners football game and seeing head coach Barry Switzer and star linebacker Brian Bosworth. Ultimately, it was about spending time with a man he considers like a father to him.

“Every Saturday and Sunday we'd watch college football and the NFL,” LeVan said. “He was so kind to me. And I think that's why I do what I do for these kids. He made a big difference when he took the time to help me out and treat me like one his own family members.”

LeVan moved to Savannah in 1986 when his father was stationed in Hinesville, and after graduating from Armstrong State University a few years later, LeVan was hired at Chatham Academy.

LeVan initially started as a student-teacher in 1996 before becoming the physical education teacher and coach of flag football, basketball, track, tennis and baseball. With the original intention of staying for a year or two, LeVan said he quickly realized why he had to stay at Chatham Academy.

“It's more than just a bonding, you really feel close to these kids. A lot of the kids come here, were slighted in the past and never given an opportunity,” LeVan said. “And for me to see the kids slowly and gradually see success, you feel like you're making a difference.”

LeVan strides to make a difference in each child's life, whether in the classroom, on the field or outside of school. For the past 20 years, LeVan has organized a trip to Disney World for him and his students over spring break.

“It's the investment, not only to the sport of basketball, but as an educator, teacher and life coach,” Babul said of LeVan taking students to Disney.

One of the biggest thing LeVan tries to implement to each one of his students, whether at Disney or in the gym, is that “everyone needs to try at least once.” It is in that motto that LeVan says he hopes each kid can try something new and exciting because without trying, they never know if they will like it or not.

Chatham Academy's importance

Located just blocks behind the Oglethorpe Mall, Chatham Academy has been around for 40 years with the school's intent to help children with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and similar learning differences reach their highest potential. LeVan tries to make sure not one kid feels left out because of a disability.

“He's able to take our PE program and make it so everyone can play. He adapts the games, changes the rules a little but so it's not whoever is the most athletic will win and the ones who aren't don't,” said Carolyn Hannaford, Chatham Academy's principal. “He's a great equalizer.”

LeVan says he comes up with games “in his dreams” so that regardless of who is playing, they can still participate.

“I have special kind of relationship with the kids because I have what you call the cool class, everybody wants to be in PE. I make the games a little more fun. I modify a lot of the games so they can participate and I'm also aware of their sensitive side,” LeVan said. “I make something that will enhance their game and also benefit the team. So that one kid with a different disability level,doesn't feel like I'm giving a gift or an advantage.”

Talk with LeVan and people about him, and it's easy to see why the Hawks chose him as their representative for Jr. NBA Coach of the Year. He is willing to help those who need help the most and doesn't seek attention for it.

“He's very humble, he doesn't seek the limelight. He's happy being behind the scenes,” Hannaford said. “He wants to get all the individuals to be the best person they can be and experience new things.”

Whether it is joking around with some of the upperclassmen or talking Oklahoma football, LeVan is always trying to make a lasting impression on the students. He wants to be a positive influence in their lives now and in the future.

“That they can look back and say, 'He was the best coach or best person.’ I want them to think they use me, if they ever need help in the future, they can call me,” he said.

Additional information, including how the public can participate in the voting process on Twitter only from April 8-17, can be found at jr.nba.com under the Programs link.

Other nominees:

Tim Fando; Atlanta Dream

Randy Butler Sr.; Boston Celtics

Matt Palyok; Charlotte Hornets

Bob Lozano; Chicago Bulls

Darren Drake; Cleveland Cavaliers

Muhammad Shabazz; Dallas Mavericks

Ashley Robinson; Dallas Wings

Vince Franklin; Denver Nuggets

Marcel Smith; Detroit Pistons

Tim Von Urff; Golden State Warriors

Casey Adams; Indiana Pacers

Roderick Greene; Las Vegas

San Dixon; Los Angeles Sparks

Skai Thompson; Los Angeles Lakers

Rosalyn Know; Memphis Grizzlies

Miles Chinn; Miami Heat

Jason Curry; New York Knicks

Nancy Walsh; New Orleans Pelicans

Robert Baker; Oklahoma City Thunder

Corey Williams; Orlando Magic

Tiffany Ford; Philadelphia 76ers

Leon Chavez; Phoenix Mercury

Darrell Patton; Phoenix Suns

Sarah Wilson; Portland Trail Blazers

Jackie Wada; Sacramento Kings

Anthony Hernandez; San Antonio Spurs

GC Hillburn; Seattle Storm

Ben Fuller; Utah Jazz

Thomas Gadson; Washington Wizards/Mystics

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